Devon Cricket Board - A Division preview: Bryan looking for third win

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BARTON captain Adam Parker is looking for a few more runs from the top five when Plympton visit Cricketfield Road.
Barton won at Brixham last Saturday thanks to the efforts of Parker, Steve Lewis and the lower order.
All wins are gratefully received, but batters are there to score runs and the lower order won’t always bale them out if they fail.
“We need to concentrate more when we are batting and it is up to the top five to get some runs,” said Parker.
“I am happy with the lower order being able to do their bit, but it takes the pressure of them in tight games like Brixham was if the top five perform.”
Barton will be without keeper Andy Hele in a side that has been fine-tuned for Plympton.
Chris Pennar and Andy McVeigh are both brought in and Lewis will keep wicket in Hele’s absence.
Plympton are forced to make changes due to availability issues which rob them of in-form opener Andy Walter and left-armer Matt Gregory.
Alex Carr is promoted from the 2nd XI – not surprising after scoring a ton then an 80 in his first two games – and seamer Dan Vince comes in for his debut.
Danny Hawker adds an extra bowling option following the departure of John Shuttkacker to Luckett.
“It is a while since we have been up there – probably six or seven years ago when we were both last in the Premier Division,” said Plympton slipper Jeremy Williams.
“I remember Adam (Parker) and Damon Calland from those days as decent players – and that Barton is a desperately hard place to get a result.”

HEATHCOAT’S strength in depth will be tested when they entertain Hatherleigh as a number of first-choice players are missing – as their potential replacements.
“Numerous players are unavailable in first and second squad, but luckily we have enough depth to be happy with our changes,” said skipper Sam Smith.
Tom Frankpitt and Steffan Jones are out with Matt Hague and Matt Parkes in.
Former Somerset star Jones has other commitments in Ireland this weekend.
Having won their first two matches comfortably, it starts getting tougher for Heathcoat this week.
Smith is well aware an extra 10 per cent or more is going to be required.
“We have what I think to be a tough little run of fixtures coming and must take them one at a time and not get ahead of ourselves
“Hatherleigh have scored well in the first two rounds and we will have to be at our best to win/
“Every week is about maintaining our concentration and working towards the goals we have set ourselves as a club.”
Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake has taken note of Heathcoat’s start to the season and knows what to expect.
“We know this will be a very difficult away trip this especially with the strong results they have had in the opening two weeks,” said Lake.
“But we have started well ourselves and we will go there and give it our best shot and come away with as many points as we can.
“We see this as the kind of challenge we want and to test ourselves and compete.”
Rob Chapman, Rob Fishleigh and Andy Collier are out: Simon Gillespie, Danny Forrester and Sean Leatheran all return.

ABBOTSKERSWELL captain Richard Acton hopes it will be third time lucky against visiting Plymstock.
Defeats by Paignton and Sandford were not the start Acton or Abbots wanted and it’s time to turn things round.
“We’re looking for our first win and, feel we have a great chance against Plymstock,” said Acton.
“Our batting let us down last week. We need to build partnerships and not lose too many wickets in clumps.
“We did that against Sandford, which never gave us a chance to chase down the target.
“However, we haven’t dwelled on the defeat too much.
The performance in the field was excellent and our bowling was improved from week one.
“We’ll take these positives into the Plymstock game and if we can bat well then we should be able to get our season going with a win.
“We are a young side so it is important we keep our spirit up on the field and stay positive as a team.
Alex Birt is back at university for exams so Charlie Hill comes in as a batsman after scoring runs in the 2nd’s last week.
Plymstock travel to Abbotskerswell looking to put last weekend’s seven-wicket defeat by Heathcoat behind them.
“Last weekend was a tough one for our guys, we got put in on a very wet and tricky wicket and got bogged down by some very disciplined bowling and fielding from a very well-drilled outfit,” said vice-captain James Nicholls.
“The wicket played its part as it got easier to bat on as it dried out, but we aren't here to make excuses, we were outplayed but still have positives to take from the game.
“We performed extremely well in patches and now need to focus on turning this into a 100-over performance.
“We showed glimpses against Heathcoat and if we had backed up a great opening spell from overseas Mark Abbott, by taking our catches we could easily of had them 30 for 4. We didn't and we have to put this right this weekend.'
“We aren’t really sure what to expect from Abbots as they have lost a lot of players, but what we are sure of is that at their home ground we will be tested and put under pressure and i fully expect a response and a positive result.
“A win this weekend will put us right back on track and help us push up towards the top part of the league which is where we should be finishing with the talent we have.”
Plymstock have two changes this weekend as former captain Dave Orchard and Callum Cload (school commitments) are unavailable. Opening bat Olly Mullbery and George Barnicott, who took four wickets at Barton, both return.

PAIGNTON captain Connor Bryan is confident of making it three wins on the spin at the top of the A Division when Sandford visit Queens Park.
Abbotskerswell and Braunton have already been dispatched, but Sandford promise to be a different proposition.
Sandford haven’t lost yet either and will be looking to press their own promotion credentials.
Bryan knows that and his view is ‘bring it on’.
“We are really looking to get another win with Sandford coming to queens park,” said Bryan.
“We are improving every week and feel we are real contenders within the A Division.
“We have a strong opening bowling attack which we will look to “use with force this weekend.
“There's no change to the team this week as our performance last week was brilliant.
“The boys have been training hard and we all know the threats that Sandford carry. We feel confident about dealing with those and also about winning the game.”

BRAUNTON entertain Brixham in a meeting between two teams without a win.
Braunton captain Ian Roberts hopes he can win the toss and dictate the game.
Roberts has made four changes of personnel with Jon Higgs, Wayne Manning, Dan Crocombe and Kieron Jarrett all returning to the fray.